Napoli Secures Fourth Serie A Title, Joining 1987, 1990, and 2023 Championships
The Napoli football club has claimed the Serie A title for the fourth time in its history, defeating Cagliari 2-0 in the final match of the 38th and last round. This “Scudetto” adds to their previous championships in 1987, 1990, and 2023, with the first two occurring during the memorable “Maradona era.”
Napoli’s Dominant Season and Key Rivalries
Napoli finished the season with a one-point lead over second-place Inter Milan, who were defending champions and fought until the end, securing a 2-0 victory over Como in a simultaneous match. Inter Milan will have little time to dwell on their loss, as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League final in Munich next Saturday.
Napoli’s triumph comes two years after their last title, following a disastrous 2023-2024 season where they could only manage tenth place, 41 points behind the champions.
Match Summary and Key Moments
- Napoli’s victory began to take shape with a goal from Scott McTominay (minute 42) using the outside of his boot and a remarkable strike from Romelu Lukaku (minute 51).
- The 2-0 scoreline allowed Napoli a relatively calm second half, as Inter Milan simultaneously won 2-0 against Como with goals from Stefan De Vrij (minute 20) and Joaquín Correa (minute 51).
- Between De Vrij’s goal and McTominay’s, Inter Milan was virtually champion for 22 minutes, but Napoli managed to turn the situation around in time.
Antonio Conte’s Impact on Napoli’s Success
The significant improvement of the club compared to the previous season can largely be attributed to head coach Antonio Conte, who was suspended for the final match.
Conte joined at the beginning of the season to build a championship-winning team, remodeling the squad by bringing in McTominay and Lukaku, the latter being Conte’s trusted striker who had been on loan at Inter Milan and Roma in recent seasons.
Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, crucial to the 2022-2023 title, was loaned to Turkish club Galatasaray. Conte implemented his signature formula of impeccable physical conditioning, solid defense, and tactical discipline.
Despite an early 3-0 loss to Verona, Napoli gradually found their footing. The departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in January did not negatively impact the team, as they remained focused on the Serie A without pursuing other competitions like Conte, who fielded a reserve team in the Coppa Italia, losing to Lazio in the round of 16.
In contrast, Inter Milan participated in multiple competitions but lost the Coppa Italia final to AC Milan and now faces another runner-up position in the Serie A.
Will Lautaro Martínez and his team avoid another second-place finish in the upcoming Champions League final?
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of Napoli’s Serie A title win? Napoli secured their fourth Serie A title, joining their championships from 1987, 1990, and 2023. This victory comes two years after their last title and follows a challenging 2023-2024 season.
- Who were the key players in Napoli’s success? Antonio Conte, the head coach, played a crucial role in remodeling the squad and implementing his signature formula. New signings Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku were instrumental in Napoli’s triumph.
- What are the implications for Inter Milan? Inter Milan, who were defending champions, lost the Serie A title to Napoli and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. They also lost the Coppa Italia final to AC Milan, resulting in another runner-up position in a major competition.
